New Delhi, September 1: The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed all the FIRs filed against protesters involved in the CJP agitation between July 20 and 25, except in cases involving those with criminal antecedents, reported NDTV. The court directed that cases filed against students across all states and Union Territories during the period would stand quashed. However, it allowed the Delhi Police to proceed with one FIR against 2,873 people who were present at the Jantar Mantar protests, citing their serious criminal antecedents.
Following the court’s decision and the Centre’s positive response, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das told the Supreme Court that the group had decided to withdraw its call for a protest on September 5.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the Centre, through the Delhi Police, along with the governments of Bihar, Assam, West Bengal and Maharashtra, had filed applications seeking the quashing of FIRs linked to the student protests. He also assured the court that no fresh FIRs would be registered in connection with protest-related events between July 20 and 25. Mehta said the applications were filed to honour the assurance given by the Centre to CJP leaders on July 25.
During the hearing, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the issue could be resolved if both sides engaged with each other in a spirit of trust. Mehta said both sides had approached the matter constructively and positively, adding, “We are not enemies.”
Also Read: CJP Calls Off September 5 Delhi March
